I know there will be griping because I have no good pictures of the grooms. No sooner had the celebrant pronounced Tom and Mike married than they were darting about pressing each of their 120 guests to a drink–and then another and perhaps a third. I couldn’t manage my camera, my bag and my glass so the camera was quickly jettisoned. Just yards away, in front of the U.S. Capitol, at least 26 Korean brides in Barbie-pink netting were being photographed from every angle: in the Hummer, out of the Hummer, on the steps, by the security guard, and under the dogwoods. There would have been a certain delicious irony in our happy couple having their image captured on the steps of the Supreme Court (take that Judge Thomas) but the moment escaped us.
The bar staff on the patio at Johnny’s Half Shell (tagline: seafood specialities and strong drinks) had clearly under-estimated the demand for gin. Supplies were exhausted before the entire Cavanagh connection had had their glasses filled. (I need hardly explain that they were first to the bar.) The situation was quickly saved, thus averting a need to race back to 17th street, where the wedding party had been swarming for several days.
17th street is home to Cairo Liquors, a reliable purveyor of gin. Tom and Mike chose to be registered at this store: “Well, it’s the only thing we really NEED”. Tom, a homemaker, has been delighted in recent weeks to answer a knock at the door and find a succession of gentlemen weighed down by cases of Maker’s Mark, Dewars, and Bombay Sapphire. Just as well he’s now a married man…
Much of the pre and post wedding action centered on 17th Street NW. Skip’s tour of historic houses in Dupont Circle culminated with drinks at Dito’s bar. Dain, a 17th street resident, master-minded Cigars Under the Stars, a bachelor party involving double bourbons and Double Maduros for the double grooms.
I was coiffed by Tina at Fiddleheads, also on 17th street, who beat my barnet into submission so my hair would fit under my hat. I had my toes done locally too, but went to Neiman Marcus where the marvelous Mimi tattooed me with make-up ”No need to worry–it will stay all day” she promised. The eyeliner was still in place this morning.
On Friday night around 30 of us crossed Connecticut Ave to get to the Malaysia Kopitiam for the rehearsal dinner. For this food, I too would get married. On Saturday, after the revelry on Capitol Hill, we were back in the boys’ alley just off 17th street –well, those wedding gifts from Cairo Liquor won’t drink themselves.
On Sunday morning, the last ones standing repaired to Annie’s for brunch. Much oohing and aahing over the very booth and stained glass window featured in Lucy Knisley’s illustration which formed the wedding invitation. More drinks.
Peggy and Kenny had made it all the way home to Tampa by the time we left Annie’s. Julia, Steve and I (the hard core) crossed 17th Street with Tom and Mike as the bells from the Foundry United Methodist Church sounded a glorious peal. Time to start happily ever after.
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